If you are looking for something fun, festive and romantic to read, you are in luck! In a Holidaze fits that bill, with loveable characters, an interesting twist and some laugh out loud moments, to boot. Maelyn Jones loves her parent's friends cabin in Utah, a holiday destination she has been coming to for years, with all of her favorite people and the boy she has loved for over half her life. This Christmas, however, is slated to be the last, as her parent's friends have decided it is time to sell the cabin. Leaving there, leaves her in despair, and thus she makes one wish, for the universe to show her what would make her happy. The next instant ends in a terrible car crash, and Maelyn back on the plane that brought her to the cabin for Christmas... in a new spin on groundhog day it looks as if Maelyn might have to find a way to make this Christmas end the right way, in order for her to get out of the time loop. Thus, she begins to do things different, including letting Andrew, her crush, know how she feels about him. When she gets what she really wants, will she be able to keep it, or will she begin once again on the plane? Read this heartwarming tale to learn where Maelyn will end up.
This is a perfect fit for people who love Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot and Lauren Weisberger.

I tend to stay in my holiday lane - and excitedly enjoy them in calendar order but when I got the chance to read an advance copy of In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren, I couldn't pass it up. The Unhoneymooers and Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating were 2 of my favorite books I've read this year, and this one did not disappoint.  This book was a perfect cozy (and steamy) story that made me long for snowy afternoons and a plate of Christmas cookies.

Maeyln Jones loves Christmas spent at the cabin with the wild crew of her parents', their friends and their families, but this year - between being disappointed with where her mid-twenties life is going, and fresh off of a regrettable moment and unexpected news to end the week - it wasn't exactly a jolly holiday.  On the way home, dwelling on her disappointment, she throws a holiday wish out to the universe.  Flash forward to her waking up on plane - one week earlier - on her way to the cabin to celebrate Christmas. Again. Can Mae figure out what is happening, why it's happening, and how to get her holiday wish?  I literally want to make snow angels just thinking about it.

This book was like a Hallmark Christmas movie in your lap - I loved the characters, I loved the storylines and the warm, family holiday nostalgia was on point. It was a fast and satisfying read that brought a smile to face throughout without being over the top sugary sweet or too predictable.

Thank you to netgalley and Christina Lauren for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.

Also, I fully support #bennyforpresident.

4.5 STARS

Christmas, that wonderful time of year when families reunite and age-old traditions are enjoyed. Maelyn Jones has spent every one of her twenty-six Christmas’s with her family and their longtime friends in a Utah cabin. Although Mae is happy to be with very much loved people including one of whom she has had a years long crush, she has a lot going on in her life and most of it unhappy. Mae’s job is a soul killer; she is living back at home with her mother and step-father, and now it looks as if the she is losing the joy and comfort of cabin as well since the owners plan to sell after this holiday.

After a night of too much eggnog and a snogging session which a was a big mistake, Mae is on the way to the airport in a major funk riding with her family when she sees death coming for them. The next thing Mae knows is waking up on a plane headed to the cabin for their Christmas holiday. At first, she is horrified and not a little freaked out to be living the whole sad holiday again, but then Mae realizes that this is a do-over, a blessing in disguise. She has the unique opportunity to make some major life changes. Disasters keep happening and the plane ride over again until Mae figures out what, or in this case who, she truly wants to be happy. Andrew, the man Mae has been in love with half her life, plays a big part in this effort to find where happiness lies.

Initially I was put off by the premise; however, I was pleasantly surprised what a good tale this story turns out to be. The writing team of Christina Lauren has a winner with a time-traveling Christmas romantic comedy. The quirky characters and family drama along with Mae’s bizarre experiences are a fun read. We all at times have wished for a chance to set our feet on a different path and rectify mistakes, so it’s interesting to see what her new choices turn out to be when she is presented with the opportunity. This cleverly wrought tale will entertain fans of the genre plus please those who have followed the authors from their initial days as fanfic writers.

This was exactly what I have come to expect for Christina Lauren at present. Which isn't to say that is a bad thing, I just wanted a little more from this story. I did enjoy the holiday twist in this. And, as always, their writing keeps me coming back.

It's CLo, bitch! Oops!...They did it again! (it being another great four-star read from the wonderful and talented writing duo)

I think I speak for the masses when I say that Christina Lauren is my go-to rom-com author. Any time life gets hard and I need a little rom-com pick-me-up, CLo never fails to deliver exactly what I need. Let's put it this way: I'm a junkie who's always fiending for my next hit of rom-com, and CLo is my friendly neighborhood plug who'd pull up to my house at 3 a.m. on Christmas Day to get me my rom-com fix, no question. And hey, that's no small thing; I can count on two fingers the authors who have a catalog that is at least five books long and consistently write four- and five-star rom-coms, and one of those is Christina Lauren. (The other, if you're wondering, is Mhairi McFarlane.) A good plug is hard to find these days, as my girl Flannery O'Connor once so eloquently put it. (I might be paraphrasing a bit.)

So, it should come as no surprise that CLo's latest novel, In a Holidaze, was just as sweet, fun, and charming as all their other books. In signature CLo fashion, right from page one, In a Holidaze played with my heart and I got lost in its game. /Britney references ... Okay, but in all seriousness, I know the cliché could not put this book down gets thrown around a lot in reviews, but I literally could not put this book down—yes, literally literally! I even went to the toilet with it—and finished it in less than three hours.

In a Holidaze is probably the first rom-com/sci-fi lite crossbreed I've ever read, and I think it's possible that, with its publication, CLo might have created a new rom-com sub-genre. Think Hallmark meets Groundhog Day. (Full disclosure: I've never actually seen the movie Groundhog Day so I don't actually know how accurate this representation is, but Mae, the female MC in the book, kept comparing her time travel experience to the movie, and so I decided to take her at her word and just run with it.)

The story begins on the eve of Mae's final day at the annual Christmas holiday retreat with her family and close family friends. Drunk on eggnog, Mae accidentally makes out with Theo, the younger brother of her lifelong crush, Andrew. She regrets it immediately, especially when Theo acts weird the morning after and she finds out that Andrew witnessed the awful encounter. On the drive to the airport on her way home, Mae wishes she could change what happened and then—BAM!—the next thing she knows, it's the week before and she's again on the airplane taking her to the cabin for the start of the holiday vacation. Cue Mae's several botched attempts at doing the holiday right and finding out what will make her happy.

Without a doubt, In a Holidaze was the fluffiest CLo book I've read, which isn't really all that surprising given the surrealistic nature of the plot. Not to mention that the frothiness of the book probably worked to its advantage in the end since no one wants to read something raw, gritty, and depressing centered around the Christmas holiday. Gritty realism can have the other 364 days of the year, but let idealism have Christmas Day so that at least it can be magical and romantic in the fictional universe dammit.

That said, all the characters in the story (including MCs Mae and Andrew), while lovely and a joy to read about, were all pretty one-dimensional and not at all fleshed out—another casualty that wasn't totally unexpected or surprising. It didn't really bother me though, probably because flat characters kind of come with the territory of this sort of frothy, lighthearted read. My only real issue with the story was that the conflict that tore Mae and Andrew apart was really rather stupid and kind of a nonissue. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't disclose here what got Andrew's panties in a wad, but it kind of felt like CLo couldn't think of anything better for Mae and Andrew to fight over and—wanting to avoid the inevitable mess that a time travel-related conflict would cause—just picked something that could passably be a source of tension between the two MCs. Yeah, it annoyed me, and at several times I was just like, Why are you even mad, bro? @ Andrew, but otherwise it was easy enough to overlook when the story itself wasn't meant to be serious. Things have bothered me more about a book, that's for sure.

While In a Holidaze wasn't my favorite CLo book (that distinction goes to either Love and Other Words or My Favorite Half-Night Stand—if you haven't already read these books, do yourself a favor and check them out), I like that they branched out into writing a seasonal rom-com with a sci-fi lite twist, so as to give us something that was not only unlike every other book they've ever written before, but also doubly festive thanks to the time travel element that infused the story with an extra magical quality in keeping with the spirit of Christmas. I can already see families taking a year-long hiatus from their annual showing of It's a Wonderful Life (another classic movie that I've never actually seen) and instead coming together to listen to the audiobook of In a Holidaze. At least that's what I plan on talking my family into doing this year.

Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such fun read with a mix of Groundhog Day and a Hallmark holiday movie mixed in one. Love all the dynamics of the different families that gather each year to the cabin. I love how Maelyn used her repeat of the time to get what she wants. I felt that Andrew’s love for Maelyn went from 0 to 60 way too quickly but love his grand gesture at the end.

Thank you to #netgalley and Gallery Books for an advanced ebook!

What an amazing book! Mae spends her Christmas holidays with her mother and father’s college pals and their families. Mae has had a crush on Andrew since her teens, but smooches his younger brother, Theo. Mae is feeling down because her life is not where she wants it to be and Andrew caught her kissing Theo.

On the way home from the holiday trip she asks the universe to show her what happiness is. The universe puts her in a time loop a la Groundhog Day/Palm Springs. What choices will Mae make to manifest her happiness? What changes will she make to get out of the time loop?

This book left me with a big grin on my face. I highly recommend it. I can’t wait to read Christina Lauren’s back catalog.

I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Overall - 2.5
Steam - 2

In a Holidaze was billed as the movie Groundhog’s Day gone Christmas and I was excited for it. As I’ve mentioned before I’m a glutton for all things Christmas and holiday. So of course when I saw Christina and Lauren were putting out a holiday book I couldn’t hit the request button fast enough.

The story is about Maelyn Jones, a woman who’s life isn’t going exactly to plan. She’s just spent the last ever Christmas in her family’s cabin and she wishes that she could see what it would be like to be happy. This sets off a time loop that puts Maelyn back into the plane on the way to the cabin and starting the whole holiday over. This whole premise was catnip for me since I love the idea of getting a do-over in life. And Christin and Lauren’s writing is so enjoyable that I don’t mind the some times confusing plot structure.

But even though this book had a lot going for it, I didn’t like it as much as I wanted to. I was getting frustrated with myself over how long (weeks) it took me to read this book. I worried I was letting 2020 get to me and that I was being unfair to the queens of modern rom-com. Did I laugh? Of course. Did a swoon a little? Sure. Did i root for Mae to get the “right” HEA? You’re darn tootin’. But did I really enjoy this book? Not really. I can find the lingering wit and joie de vivre in the way these two craft the humor in their novels. I can even appreciate their character work. But the romance? The passion? It’s gone for me.

I found Christina Lauren books when they were fresh out of the fanfic world and writing their Beautiful Bastard series. I absorbed every filthy detail they wrote and re-read many of the books because the enjoyment was so high. As the duo has started to veer away from these roots their craft has gotten better, but the stories have become boring. This isn’t an argument for open vs. closed door. There is space for it all in romance. But when an author changes styles and strays from what you expect, sometimes you can’t take that journey with them. Especially when you begin to suspect that changes are due to a lingering prejudice of the romance genre. That’s when you begin to wonder if these changes are indicative of a desire to appear “mainstream” and cast off our romance roots.

So overall I’m giving this a fairly low score, but that’s certainly not going to be the common theme in other reviews. I just wanted to offer probably one of the only dissenting opinions and take a stab at why I’m losing the love for pair of extremely talented writers. I’m hoping these two can figure out a way to bring some of their old magic back to their stories. Until they do I’m not sure I’ll be picking up another of their books.

Post live 10/7/20

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren is a story of second families, second chances, and finding new ways to define yourself. The story stars with Mae, a struggling 26 year old who is living with her mom and new husband and finding herself doing more accounting than graphic design she was hired to do. The highlight of her year is the week she spends with her family and her parents college friends and their respective families in a cabin in the mountains of Utah. Mae relishes the tradition of knowing what activities they will do every year and loves that she can escape her humdrum life for the beautiful nostalgia of the cabin at Christmastime.

However, Mae makes a mistake and drunkenly kisses Theo instead of her long-time crush Andrew. Panicking that she threw away everything with her family and friends she leaves the cabin on down note. When a freak accident coincides with a wish to try to do it over again, Mae finds herself at the beginning of the week and perhaps a chance a the love she has been pining for all along.

I enjoyed spending time with Mae and the rest of her family and friends. The cozy atmosphere and comfortable friendships made me wish I could spend some time with this crew in the cabin. I liked that Mae had to work on what she wanted rather than trying to do what pleased everyone else before the crux of the romantic storyline could build steam. The supernatural element was fun and believable. All in all, this was a fun holiday romance with some good life lessons on not being afraid to admit what you want and having the courage to go after your dreams.

Note: I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley and the publishers.

Christina Lauren does it again!! I have to say at first when I heard the description I was a bit leery. However, as always the characters are so relatable and I ended up loving the "Groundhog Day" plot. The setting is also to die for and gives me the best holiday vibes. I may or may not have looked up winter cabins for my family to go to this holiday season! Absolutely loved it.

What a sweet, fun story! In a Holidaze is Christina Lauren's holiday novel that explores family bonds, lasting friendships, and starting a new relationship. It tells the story of families who have vacationed together in Park City, Utah, every Christmas for many years. Their time together is routine, with activities planned for each day, just like they've done every year for as long as they can remember. That is, until Mae's holiday resets and she has to start reliving the same days over again.

What does Mae have to do to keep moving forward in time, and not have her holiday reset?

This book is a fun escape from everyday reality, and such a cozy, feel-good story with a little bit of steamy, sexy romance thrown in. Thank you too NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

thank you gallery books for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I thought this book was alright. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this story as a movie before. I really miss the older stuff these authors wrote. I feel like the characters are okay, there’s a lack of chemistry.

Groundhogs day meets Christmas in this fantastic new Christina Lauren book. This story gave me all the feels of a Hallmark Christmas movie with a bit of added steam. Heartwarming, hilarious and oh so romantic, I ate this book up! I loved the unique found family aspect and the romance was A+ !! I highly recommend picking this one up. It will absolutely put you in the Christmas spirit.

This was definitely not my favorite CLo book, but I think it was mostly the fact that I am not a fan of books or movies where they re-live the same day or week over and over again until they break the loop.

Who doesn't want a chance for a do over? What a fun holiday read. The family holiday sounds like fun with crazy shenanigans. What mistakes Mae makes but gets a do over. This story had me smiling. I liked the story line, the characters were fun and the ending was fabulous. I enjoyed this lighthearted book.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley to review. Ever since reading the Unhoneymooners, I have been a fan of Christina Lauren. This was such a cute festive book. Christina Lauren's writing style makes me smile.

Maelyn Jones is part of a group of relatives and friends who gather in a cabin for Christmas every year since before she was born. This gathering is full of traditions and holiday memories, which I just love. This group also includes her childhood best friend Theo and his older brother Andrew, who she has been in love with since she was 13 years old. She doesn't think he feels that way about her, so she never tells him how she feels.

After getting tipsy and making out with Theo (while unknowingly being caught by Andrew who casually brings it up to her the next day) and then with news that Theo and Andrews parents are selling the cabin because it needs so many repairs. Maelyn finds herself in a place of true unhappiness. On the way home on Dec. 26th, she makes a wish for the universe to show her what would make her happy....Then a truck hits them and she wakes up on Dec. 20th again.

Quote from book:
What if you could look up and ask the universe “what would happiness look like?”
Would you be prepared for what it reveals to you?

Traveling through time a few times after falling down the steps and being hit by a falling tree, she is trapped in time, waking up on the airplane when she freaks out and smacks her brother in the face.

Quote from book:
I was coming out here to ask why you were acting so weird but I see I need to keep things present tense.

She finally figures out what she needs to do to not only make herself happy, but bring out the happiness of those she loves. I really enjoyed the ending. The interaction between Andrew and Maelyn and then Benny and Maelyn were great. The supporting characters were fantastic. This is a feel good Christmas book with humor, romance, and time travel.

#netgalley
#inaholidaze

I think this book will find wide readership at my library, so we will be purchasing a couple copies. Thank you so much for allowing me to read it early.

Christina Lauren have done it again! This book is the perfect holiday read by being light and easy to get through while providing your typical holiday drama. Don’t just buy this book PREORDER IT!!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC copy!

Man, this is hard because I love holiday books and I LOVE Christina Lauren, but I did not like the gitch of the Groundhog's Day experience. I didn't really end up connecting with the characters like I usually do because there was so much going on that didn't feel necessary or interesting. My favorite parts were the top of the roller coaster feelings with Andrew in the closet - his thoughts and dialogue felt so real and so intriguing. I never felt like Theo was interested in Mae, I never felt like there was as much closeness as portrayed. The rest of the characters were just one dimensional. Andrew though. Loved Andrew.
I also did not like the six month follow-up. It was so rushed, it just didn't need to be there.

I received a free digital advance review copy of this book from Gallery Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a light breezy fast read that would be good for someone looking for a story with seasonal themes during the busy holiday season. All of the characters' relationships to each other were not clear to me from the start, which made it a bit hard to get into the book. The author use of one character "introducing" everyone to the main character when she has her first Groundhog Day experience was effective, but I would have appreciated that grounding earlier in the story - a family tree illustrating everyone's relationships would have helped. The Groundhog Day plot device, with the main character returning multiple times to re-live a holiday gathering, illustrates how different actions and being mindful about the words and choices we make relating to people we care for can bring about drastically different outcomes. In this way, the far-fetched plot device has more resonance in "real life" than it may first appear.